#4 buckshot in bare gel (with pics)

[SnakeLogan]

Special thanks to Brassfetcher for this test.

http://www.brassfetcher.com/12%20gau...20buckshot.pdf

I will stick to 00 buck in my shotgun for HD, but #4 buck doesn't look as puny as some people make it out to be.

[DBR]

The issue I have with #4 buckshot (Federal Tactical 27P) is the pattern with my Vang Comp 18" 870 at 25yds is more than 24" including fliers. This gun holds less than 12" with #1 buckshot (16P) and less than 9" with 00 (9P) at 25 yds.

This may not matter to some but I don't like the large and somewhat unpredictable patterns I get with #4.

[WS6]

The issue I have with #4 buckshot (Federal Tactical 27P) is the pattern with my Vang Comp 18" 870 at 25yds is more than 24" including fliers. This gun holds less than 12" with #1 buckshot (16P) and less than 9" with 00 (9P) at 25 yds.

This may not matter to some but I don't like the large and somewhat unpredictable patterns I get with #4.

Normally the larger the pellet, the tighter the pattern.

[DBR]

No argument from me. With standard barrels and chokes I found the increase in pattern size to be even more pronounced than the sizes I posted as shot size was reduced. Also some loads like the Federal Flightcontrol loads do produce tight patterns but they can be more "donut" shaped than conventional shells.

[Glock17JHP]

I would like to see the same load's performance from a Remington 870 Police with an 18" cylinder-bore barrel...

[Wayne Dobbs]

Ron,

I always found that any of the 12 ga. #4 Buck loads patterned really poorly from an 18" cylinder bored police gun. If you did any patterning work with it you quickly found that you had at most a 15 yard weapon in terms of pattern width before you started losing pellets off a realistic target zone (say <10"). I know that you can theoretically hit/kill past that range, but the liability issues loomed large in a hurry with these loads. Combine that with reduced effectiveness of those little buckshot pellets at extended range and they became a "no go" in a hurry.

[WS6]

Ron,

I always found that any of the 12 ga. #4 Buck load patterned really poorly from an 18" cylinder bored police gun. If you did any patterning work with it you quickly found that you had at most a 15 yard weapon in terms of pattern width before you started losing pellets off a realistic target zone (say <10"). I know that you can theoretically hit/kill past that range, but the liability issues loomed large in a hurry with these loads. Combine that with reduced effectiveness of those little buckshot pellets at extended range and they became a "no go" in a hurry.

#4 buck will not penetrate a metal car door's outer skin at any range where pellets impact individually, either, in my limited experience. OO is semi-reliable, and OOO is decent at it. Anything smaller seems to be full of fail.

[Glock17JHP]

Ron,

I always found that any of the 12 ga. #4 Buck loads patterned really poorly from an 18" cylinder bored police gun. If you did any patterning work with it you quickly found that you had at most a 15 yard weapon in terms of pattern width before you started losing pellets off a realistic target zone (say <10"). I know that you can theoretically hit/kill past that range, but the liability issues loomed large in a hurry with these loads. Combine that with reduced effectiveness of those little buckshot pellets at extended range and they became a "no go" in a hurry.

Wayne,

Please... don't take my comment as though I like #4 Buck!!! I do not... in fact, I don't even like #1 Buck!!!

I am a fan of Winchester's Ranger Buckshot, specifically RA1200, which is a 'Low Recoil' 9-pellet 00 Buck load. For slugs, I like Brenneke's Tactical Home Defense slug load.

I am sorry if I mislead anyone here... I often ask questions as a way to get folks to think...

[Wayne Dobbs]

I didn't think you were endorsing #4 Buck at all. I'm a fan of the "low recoil" or "tactical" 00 loads also and prefer the Federal load in my guns. Given the actual performance envelope of 00 buck I doubt that there's enough difference to matter between the major brands. Recipients of a load of 00 buck amidships inside of 15 yards almost never come to the attention of a trauma center, but instead go straight to the morgue without passing go or collecting $200.

[Glock17JHP]

Good post, Wayne...